Self-locking hinge



A. H. KROSCHEL SELF LOCKING HINGE Aug. 5

Filed May 18. 1923 Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,5035% PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST H. KROSCHEL, DE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SELF-LOCKING HINGE.

Application filedl May 18, 1923. Serial No. 639,933.

Hinges, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to folding apparatus, and more particularly to folding tables and ironing boards adapted to. be mounted in wall recesses or cabinets and to beswung from a concealed or vertical position to a horizontal, serviceable position. An object is to provide a substantial and readily operable, collapsible and extensible bracket or supportedstructure.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following specification of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- 111- Fi'gure 1 is a side elevation of the extended board structure and a vertical section of a portionof a cabinet or wall in which the board structure is adapted to be vertically board.

The present invention is shown as embodying a board or table structure consisting of-an inner section 2, the inner end of which is pivotally supported at 3 within a wall or cabinet recess R, in which the collapsed section 2 is adapted to hang vertically and from which it is adapted to be extended to a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 1. Attached by suitable hinge plates 4 to the outer end of the board section 2 is an outer section 2*. The hinged sections of the board are each rebated transversely, and thus form overlapping ends 2 when the board sections are unfolded. The hinge connection 4, of which there is one at each side of the board, consists of a plate having pivot pins 1*, provided in the sides of the boards, and these plates have quarter turn recesses 4 the end shoulders of which are adapted to engage stop pins 5, provided in the respective upper sections.

A feature of the present invention consists of a novel suspending and bracing or bracket means for supporting the board membersin extended, horizontal position,

and such means include sets of links, one

set being arranged at each side of the board and including a lower bracket and toggle link 6, pivoted at 7 on suitable supports in the recess R, and the upper end of each link 6 is pivoted at 8 to the lower and contiguous end of an upper toggle and bracketrlink 9, which in turn is recessed into and pivotally connected at 10 to the outer swinging portion of the board section 2. The knuckle pivot 8 of each set of links is connected to an intermediate or folding link 11, extending inwardly and upwardly in the position of the parts in Figure 1.,

and being pivoted at 12 to the lower end of, the suspension link 13, which is pivoted at its upper end by a pivot 14 to the rear end portion of the board 2.

It will be seen that the links 6, 9, 11 and 13 form a substantially Y-shaped bracket in i the extended position, the upper arms of which are connected to the board section 2.

To look the toggle links 6-9 and the connected links 11-.-13 against collapse in the extended position of, the board section 2, actuating links 16 are shown as connected by the pivots 17 to the sides of the tongue portion of the outer board section 2 so that, when this board section 2" is tilted 16 in an are about the axis of the hinge plate 4. This swinging movement causes the link 16 to shift in the direction of the arrow and to pull the brace links 1113 upwardly and forwardly, thus breaking their alignment, and at the same time the links 11 will break the substantial alignment of the'bra'ce or toggle links 6-9 and these will be caused to swing inwardly and upwardly, as indicated by the respective ar rows.

After the link alignments have been broken and the bracing pairs of links started on a collapsing action, the board section 2 may be swung downwardly, as is clearly shown in Figure 3, with the concurrent, further collapsing of the several pairs of brace links, as clearly shown. hen the board sections are finally brought into vertical and overlapping position in the recess R, the several links will occupy a relatively close and more or less parallel position, as indicated in Figure 4.

It will be seen from the above that I have provided a self-locking hinge and bracket structure of extremely simple and inexpensive form, and one which provides a rigid brace and support for the extended table or ironing board sections.

In the effective, supporting position of the parts, the link pivot 8 of each set passes beyond a center line running from the pivot 7 to the pivot 10, and this, therefore, prevents the links 6-9 from reversing under load and causing the link sets to collapse. In a companion application entitled Hinge constructions for folding ironing boards and the like, I have shown, described and claimed the hinge for connecting the two board sections, and I do not wish to make such claims herein.

Further embodiments, modifi'cationsand variations may be resorted to within the principle of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a foldable table or ironing board structure including a pivotally supported, inner section and an outer board section hinged to the outer end of the inner section, a pair of toggle links at each side of the inner section and attached to the outer end thereof and attached pivotally to primary supports below the pivoted end of the inner section, pairs of brace links connected to the inner end of the inner section and to the intermediate pivots of the toggle links, and actuating links connected to the intermediate pivots of the brace links and to the outer board section so as to be operated thereby to dis-align the extended links when the board is folded from the horizon tal position.

2. A table or ironing board structure comprising an inner board section having an inner end pivotally connected to the primary support, an outer board section hingedly connected to the swinging end of the inner section and adapted to be foldedover flatwise upon the outer face thereof, a pair of toggle links connected to each side of the inner board section and adjacent to the outer end thereof and pivoted to the primary support and at a position below the piv ots of the inner section, a pair of brace links at each side of the inner board section and contiguous to the pivoted end thereof and attached to the intermediate pivots of the toggle links; the links of the bracing pairs being adapted to swing substantially into alignment and thrust the links of the toggle pairs substantially into alignment when the inner board section is extended into horizontal position, and actuating links attached to the outer board section and to the connecting pivots of the brace links.

3. A table or ironing board structure comprising a inner board section having an inner end pivotally connected tothe primary support, and having its outer end rebated across its end face, an outer board section hingedly connected to the swinging end of the inner section and adapted to be folded over flatwise upon the outer face thereof and having a projecting tongue portion matching the rebated end of the inner section, a pair of toggle links connected to each side of the inner board section and adjacent to the outer end thereof and pivoted to the primary support and at a position below the pivots of the inner Section, a pair of brace linksattached at each side of the inner board section and contiguous to the pivoted end thereof and attached to the intermediate pivots of the toggle links;

the links of the bracing pairs being adapted to swing substantially into alignment and thrust the links of the toggle pairs substantially into alignment when the inner board section is extended into horizontal position, and actuating links attached to the sides of the said tongue portion and to the connecting pivots of the brace links.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

A. H. KRosoHEn. 

